Welcome to my crochet turtle pattern. This pattern was another request. This is what the finished turtle applique will look like.
There’s also a video tutorial for this pattern available on my YouTube channel at crochet turtle tutorial.
To view this pattern for free, continue to scroll down this page. If you want to download the ad-free version, it’s available on my Ravelry store for $1 at crochet turtle pattern and on LoveCrafts at crochet turtle pattern.
This pattern will be using US terminology. If you want to view the UK version, go to crochet turtle pattern (UK version).
Crochet Turtle Pattern
Abbreviations
- st – stitch
- sts – stitches
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
Materials Used
- Any thickness crochet cotton or yarn, I used Scheepjes Maxi Sweet Treat 2 ply crochet cotton colors (212) Sage Green, (244) Spruce, (404) English Tea and (110) Black.
- A crochet hook, I used a 1mm hook.
- A darning needle to weave in ends.
- Scissors.
- Cream and black thread and needle to embroider on the markings.
- Thread to stitch the turtle together.
Size
Large turtle (Using 8 ply yarn & a 3mm hook)
9cm wide x 15cm high or 3.5” wide x 6” high
Medium turtle (Using 4 ply crochet cotton & a 1.5mm hook)
5cm wide x 10cm high or 2” wide x 4” high
Small turtle (Using 2 ply crochet cotton & a 1mm hook)
4cm wide x 7.5cm high or 1.5” wide x 3” high
Shell
Using (212) Sage Green work 16 ch.
Row 1: Miss 1st ch, work 1 sc in each of next 3 ch, 1 hdc in each of following 3 ch, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, 1 hdc in each of following 3 ch, 1 sc in each of last 3 ch. Turn. (15 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, work a joined sc over 1st 2 sts, 1 sc in each st to last 2 sts, a joined sc over last 2 sts. Turn. (13 sts)
Row 3: 1 ch, work a joined sc over 1st 2 sts, 1 sc in next st, 1 hdc in each of following 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 3 sts, 1 hdc in each of following 2 sts, 1 sc in next st, a joined sc over last 2 sts. Don’t turn or fasten off.
Neatening Row
1 ch, work 1 or 2 sc in each st around. Join with a sl st in top of 1st st. Fasten off.
Shell Edge
Join (244) Spruce to corner st on end of neatening row of row 1, where shown.
1 ch, work 1 or 2 sc in each st around the bottom and side part of shell but not along the top. Fasten off.
Join (404) English Tea to 1st st of Spruce.
1 ch, work 1 or 2 sc in each st around the Spruce part. Fasten off.
Join (110) Black to outside loop only of 1st st of English Tea.
Work 1 sl st in outside loop only of each st around the English Tea. Fasten off.
Tummy
Join (404) English Tea 11 sts along from back of the shell in back loop only of English Tea.
1 ch, work 1 sc in same stitch as join, working in back loop only of English Tea work 1 sc in each of next 3 sts, 1 hdc in each of following 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 7 sts, 1 tr in each remaining st. Fasten off.
Front Flipper
Using (244) Spruce make a magic loop.
Row 1: 3 ch, work 1 dc in circle. Pull circle tight. Turn. (1 st)
Row 2: 3 ch, work 1 dc and 1 hdc in st. Turn. (2 sts)
Row 3: 1 ch, work 2 sc in each st. Turn. (4 sts)
Row 4: 1 ch, work 2 sc in 1st st, 1 sc in each st to end. Turn. (5 sts)
Rows 5-7: 1 ch, work 1 sc in each st. Turn. (5 sts)
Row 8: 1 ch, work 1 sc in 1st st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 dc in following st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in last st. Don’t turn or fasten off.
Neatening Row
1 ch, work 1 sl st in each st around. Fasten off.
Neck & Head
Join (212) Sage Green to outside loop of the black row on shell 7 sts back from front of shell.
Row 1: 1 ch, working into outside loop only work 1 sc in same stitch as join, 1 sc in next 6 sts. 6 ch. (7 sts + 6 ch)
Row 2: Miss 1st ch, work 1 sc in each remaining ch and each st to end. Turn. (12 sts)
Row 3: Work 1 sl st in each of 1st 3 sts, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, 1 dc in each st to last st, 2 dc in last st. 3 ch, sl st in last st. Fasten off.
Head
Using (244) Spruce make a magic loop.
Row 1: 2 ch, work 2 hdc in circle. Pull circle tight. Turn. (2 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, work 1 sc in each st. Turn. (2 sts)
Rows 3-5: 1 ch, work 1 sc in each st. Turn. (2 sts)
Row 6: Work 1 sl st and 1 dc in 1st st, 1 sl st in last st. Don’t turn or fasten off.
Neatening Row
Work 1 sl st in each st around. Fasten off.
Back Flipper
Join (244) Spruce in back loop 6 sts along shell on English Tea. I left a long tail to use for the neatening row.
Row 1: 1 ch, working into back loop only work 1 sc in same stitch as join, 2 hdc in next st, 1 dc in following st. Turn. (4 sts)
Rows 2-3: 1 ch, work 1 sc in each st. Turn. (4 sts)
Row 4: 1 ch, work a joined sc over 1st 2 sts, 1 sc in each of last 2 sts. Turn. (3 sts)
Row 5: 1 ch, work a joined sc over 1st 2 sts, 1 sc in last st. Turn. (2 sts)
Row 6: 2 ch, work a joined hdc and dc over the 2 sts. Fasten off.
Neatening Row
Using the tail left at the beginning work 1 sl st in each st around. Fasten off.
Far Front Flipper
Using (244) Spruce make a magic loop.
Row 1: 3 ch, work 3 dc in circle. Pull circle tight. Don’t turn.
Row 2: 1 ch, working along the side of the last dc worked work 3 sc. Turn. (3 sts)
Row 3: 1 ch, work 1 sc in each st. Turn. (3 sts)
Row 4: 1 ch, work 1 sc in 1st st, 1 dc in next st, 1 sc in last st. Don’t turn or fasten off.
Neatening Row
Work 1 sl st in each st around. Fasten off.
To Make Up
Weave in ends. Stitch the neck and head piece down.
Embroider markings on the shell edge if desired.
Embroider an eye on the head and embroider markings on the head and legs if desired.
Attach the head to the end of the neck and head piece.
Stitch the legs to the turtle.
And there’s the finished turtle appliqué. I’ve also made it in different sizes and added flowers to the shell.
I hope that you’ve enjoyed the pattern. Have a look at some of my other patterns, including the crochet turtle, the lizard, the seahorse pattern, the starfish and the dolphin.
